Feb. 4 a big day for Teo and the Warriors

Talk to any college football coach and he’ll tell you that no time during the year is as important as Feb. 4 in terms of the success of the school’s program.

That’s national letter of intent day, the first time that prospective student-athletes can make a binding agreement with a university. There have been plenty of verbal commitments made, but they are subject to change until the letter is signed and delivered.

All but a handful of the elite recruits are committed. One who is not is Punahou linebacker Manti Teo, rated anywhere from the No. 1 linebacker to No. 4, depending on where you look. It was big news when Teo informed BYU and Stanford that he’d decided against accepting their scholarship offers. Many had assumed that as an LDS member he might end up in Provo. It’s now down to UCLA, USC and Notre Dame. USC already has a commitment from one of the other top-rated linebackers, and it’s hard to say how that might affect the Trojans’ chances of getting Teo’s autograph on signing day.

One thing for sure is that the team that gets him will get the whole package: athlete, student and citizen.

* The Warriors are about done with their recruiting, and now are concerned primarily with keeping the players who have verbally committed. A late push by the new University of Washington staff could affect one or more of the Warriors verbals. Looks like it will be a solid class, and if you want to find out about the Hawaii signees, head down to Murphy’s Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. where Coach Greg McMackin will talk about the class during the Signing Day and UH Football’s 100th anniversary celebration. There’s no admission charge, and food and drink will be available for purchase. That coincides with the start of the new season ticket deposit drive, where you can reserve a season ticket for $50 and receive four tickets to the volleyball or baseball game of your choice and be eligible for a drawing for a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Hard to believe UH has been playing football for 100 years.

* I have no idea who’s going to win the Super Bowl on Sunday, but I’ve decided I’m rooting for the Cardinals. I never thought they’d get this far, and they have the Hawaii connection with former Warrior Travis LaBoy and former Kahuku safety Aaron Francisco, while Pittsburgh has only one player with a Hawaii affiliation, Chris Kemoeatu. And it’s easy to root for 37-year-old Kurt Warner as a symbol for us old guys. He’s still one of the best passers in the game when given time to throw.

* Time for a New Year’s prediction in the world of golf. Michelle Wie, who earned her LPGA tour card with a successful run through Q school, will break through and win her first pro event this year. She’s healthy, more mature and seems to have regained some of the confidence that helped make her a prodigy at 14.